NORFOLK, Neb. -- A supermarket in northeast Nebraska honored one of its employees on Friday.

Mary Magana, a customer service employee at Hy-Vee East in Norfolk, is a recipient of this year's Hy-Vee Legendary Customer Service Award.

The award is given to 15 employees each year out of a total of 90,000.

Hy-Vee employees and customers will nominate employees for the award and after reviewing recommendations, will name recipients.

The store honored Magana Friday with a surprise red carpet rollout along with cake and refreshments.

Greg Rottinghaus, the Hy-Vee district store director, told News Channel Nebraska how important customer service is and why Magana's role is important to the company.

"Hy-Vee is built on customer service. We're the helpful smile in every aisle," Rottinghaus said. "This award congratulates and recognizes those who go above and beyond every single day and who exemplify that helpful smile and the fundamentals of working for Hy-Vee."

Magana is an active member of the Norfolk community and spends every Friday with the Little Panthers Club.

As a winner of the Legendary Customer Service Award, she will receive a $5,000 travel voucher, a gold ring, and her face will appear on Hy-Vee semi-trucks across the Midwest and South.